Abstract: An artificial roofing shingle composed of plastic and preferably having a rearward attachment flange, preferably having a flat and non-textured upper surface, and a forward body member, the forward body member having a textured upper surface. The shingle further has a front wall and opposing lateral walls, the bottom of the shingle being open such that each component of the shingle is thin in transverse cross-section. The forward body member is configured to visually resemble a shingle composed of a natural material such that when a plurality of shingles are attached to a roof in overlapping manner the roof presents the same visual appearance as that of a natural shingle roof. Preferably the textured upper surface of the forward body member angles upward from the non-textured upper surface of the rearward attachment flange.